One of the most crucial habits we must retain is going to church. It must not be overlooked because it is the cornerstone of the faith. Attending church entails more than just singing hymns and hearing preachers deliver the gospel. We go to church to acknowledge and embrace the grace that God bestows upon us through Christ’s death on the Cross. We adore God and give Him thanks at church services for all the blessings we receive.
It is not a sin to not go to church. However, failure to keep the Sabbath day holy is a sin. God wants us to attend church services. He wants us to care about one another, foster love and good deeds, supporting one another, and not neglecting gatherings to worship with other believers.
The Essence of a Place of Worship
The place where people gather to worship and glorify God is a church, which is essential to the Christian religion. Christians place a high value on coming together as a family for worship centered on the Gospel of Matthew. According to what Jesus taught, God would only manifest himself when people gathered to worship him.
For Christians, having a place of worship is crucial because it gives them a chance to feel more connected to God, to relate to other people who share their beliefs, and to experience what it’s like to be a member of a group of believers who regularly gather to embrace their religion. For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there amongst them, as the Lord stated in Matthew 18:20. We can see from the text the importance of a place of worship and its significant influence on our lives.
Is It a Sin Not to Go to Church
The “church” is the bodily assembly of believers who have accepted their sins and embraced the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. According to 1 Corinthians 3:9, “For we are joint-laborers with God; you are God’s meadow, you are God’s building.” The third commandment, which reads, “keep the Sabbath day holy,” emphasizes the significance of setting aside time to observe the Sabbath as a holy day.
In ancient times, the Sabbath was set aside as a day of worship and service to the Lord. This commandment serves as a reminder of the value of making time for the Lord a priority, especially on Sundays. God explicitly commands us to continue convening as a group to serve him. We commit an intentional sin if we choose not to do that.
I know there are times when it seems like the church is an outmoded system that has served its purpose and should be scrapped, but I can guarantee you that it is not. It’s a space where we can learn to view others as God does. Knowing that God loves us helps us appreciate and express gratitude for His love.
Everyone has been called to have a close relationship with God. God needs us to spend some time getting to know Him. Know yourself; just as each of us has unique spiritual gifts, so too do we each have specific needs from the church as a whole. By choosing not to attend church services, you deprive the congregation of your natural gifts and fall short of God’s task.
Ways Attending Church Can Improve Your Life
There will always be challenges to going to church. Maybe you want to wind down after a stressful week and don’t think going to church is necessary. Perhaps you work or have sports training on Sundays. Whatever challenges you encounter, you will be rewarded for obeying God’s demand to attend church services. Here are reasons why you would need to attend church:
- It is a commandment to worship God
God instructed us to keep the Sabbath day holy as one of His 10 Commandments (see Exodus 20:8–11). We gather on Sundays to worship God and give Him gratitude as one means of upholding this commandment. Additionally, being around other Christians, witnessing their faith, and hearing about their journeys and testimonies strengthens us.
- The Sacrament serves to remind us of Jesus
We participate in the sacrament at church (or Communion). Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; do this in memory of me, says Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:24). Weekly observance of this concept at church aids in our commitment to following Jesus and encourages us to appreciate what He has done for us.
- You are a crucial part of God’s Church
The Apostle Paul described the church as a body in the Bible, with Jesus as the head. He asserted that each body member plays a crucial role and must contribute for the church to function properly. Giving your time and gifts to the church will help you grow and strengthen yourself and those around you.
- Church services teach and motivate
What we study in the church teaches us how to serve God, grow our spirituality, and better our lives. The desire to serve and worship, as well as your fellow believers, might inspire you. Additionally, the Holy Spirit, who offers “love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, and faith,” can be felt.
- You develop a sense of belonging
The church is a place where we may interact and help one another. You can make friends, experience a sense of belonging, and create a reliable support system. We can “mourn with those who mourn, yea and comfort those who need comfort” with the aid of the church family.
- God can communicate with you
The church is where you can get answers. It might be that you’re having trouble with a particular issue or need guidance. Maybe all you need is to know and feel God’s love and presence. You will have the chance to hear from God when you read God’s word and pay attention to sermons. The church is a great place to listen to His voice speak to you.
- It aids us in discovering more meaning in our lives
There may be occasions in your life when you ponder the meaning of everything. The world can sometimes be depressing. And it’s simple to lose track of the broader context and the purpose of our life when we’re experiencing desperation, grief, stress, and frustration. Even feeling far and alone from God is possible. It is inevitable; thus, there is no guilt in it.
However, we are given a stronger feeling of meaning and purpose when we attend church. In addition to understanding our past and how we got here, we can now glimpse the promise of the future, even beyond this planet. Consistently going to church helps keep you on track and offers reasons to maintain your religion.
- Taking Part in Group Worship
Although worshiping God alone is great, nothing can compare to the joy of assembling in a church setting to worship Him among people who have received His Spirit through the atoning work of salvation. Jesus commanded that those who worship do so in spirit and truth (John 4:24). It takes an immense soul to worship God in the way He desires fully.
Conclusion
In the Bible, going to church is not subject to strict guidelines. Let us steadfastly uphold the declaration of our faith because He who promised is trustworthy.
Genuine followers of Christ will discover that they do need to go to church; there, they gain support and encouragement from individuals who are contributing to the expansion of this body of Christ and can associate with them.
